nonprofit | FFXnow

Community arts groups report boost from Capital One Hall access

Published July 30, 2026 at 2:45PM

A reception celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Capital One Hall Community Arts Partnership (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Since opening in October 2021, Capital One Hall has drawn an array of nationally recognized musical and comedy acts, Broadway shows and even a circus to Tysons, but the performing arts venue has also opened doors for many local community and nonprofit artists.

Thanks to a Community Arts Partnership with ArtsFairfax, Fairfax County’s official arts agency, Capital One Hall (7750 Capital One Tower Road) has hosted 48 local nonprofits so far have collectively drawn more than 61,000 attendees and generated $2.4 million in ticket revenue, officials shared at a July 14 reception celebrating the collaboration’s first five seasons.

News

FCPS teacher’s son honors her memory through Star Wars and STEAM education

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 22, 2026 at 3:45PM

A squad of battle droids (Courtesy Theresa Jacobs Foundation)

A Lake Braddock Secondary School art teacher spent 30 years sharing her passion for painting, photography, and pottery with students — a legacy that her family has carried on for nearly a decade through whimsical, often high-tech educational creations.

When Theresa Jacobs passed away from a fast-growing cancer in 2017, her son Eric Jacobs, a Fairfax County native, wanted to honor her love for learning and ignite that same spark in others.

Countywide

Volunteers begin mapping heat islands across Fairfax County, N. Va.

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 16, 2026 at 10:00AM

Volunteers are using vehicle rooftop sensors to collect data for the Northern Virginia Urban Heat Island Mapping Project (courtesy Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions)

On another hot, muggy summer day, dozens of volunteers are fanning out across Northern Virginia to find the region’s hottest neighborhoods.

The “Urban Heat Island Mapping Project,” led by George Mason University’s Virginia Climate Center and the local nonprofit Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS), involves more than 30 teams with at least two volunteer scientists each measuring temperatures and humidity at different locations.

News

Vienna nonprofits to support victims of Venezuela earthquake with donut fundraiser

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published July 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

Texas Donuts staff serving customers at its grand opening in Vienna on Dec. 3, 2025 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Two Vienna-based nonprofits are coming together to support victims of the twin earthquakes that left thousands dead and injured in Venezuela last week.

The One Neighborhood Foundation and People and Pets Together will host a fundraiser Saturday (July 4) from 8 a.m. to noon at Texas Donuts (167 Glyndon Street SE). A portion of every purchase will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.

News

World Central Kitchen distributes fresh meals to Burke residents after storm

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 24, 2026 at 10:00AM

World Central Kitchen partnered with the Fairfax location of Taco Bamba to distribute meals to Burke residents affected by the June 22, 2026 storm (courtesy World Central Kitchen)

Homeowners in several Burke neighborhoods have a lot of work ahead of them after trees, branches and downed power lines slammed into homes, cars and fences during a severe thunderstorm on Monday (June 22).

But as residents waited for the power to come back on the next day, the disaster relief nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés made sure that there was at least one thing they wouldn’t have to worry about: dinner.

News

Herndon families plead for youth programs to be saved after loss of funding

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Blanca and her son speak in support of Cornerstones' Kids and Parents Engage program at the Herndon Town Council's May 26, 2026 meeting (via Town of Herndon)

Emotions ran high at the Herndon Town Council’s May 26 meeting, as children and parents urged their local elected leaders to prevent the impending closure of a critical child care program.

Families were notified on May 19 that the Kids and Parents Engage (KAPE) program run by the nonprofit Cornerstones at its Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center will be shut down at the end of June, because funding will no longer be available.

News

Historic River Farm secures permanent protection after fight over potential sale

By Tadi Abedje

Published May 1, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 4, 2026 at 4:55PM

River Farm welcome sign (photo by Tadi Abedje)

Once part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation, River Farm is now a historic landmark that has been owned by the American Horticulture Society (AHS) for over five decades. Its gardens and scenic views play host to special occasions such as weddings and memorial services.

The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and American Horticulture Society announced that River Farm has received formal, permanent protection with a conservation easement, a milestone celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon (Friday).

News

Resource center for adults with disabilities launches in Hybla Valley

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

The nonprofit SPARC celebrates the opening of its new Hybla Valley Community Center location and launch of a Mobile Exploration Lab with a ribbon-cutting (courtesy SPARC)

A nonprofit that provides day programs for adults with disabilities has expanded its services to Hybla Valley.

Joined by local and state-level elected officials as well as program participants and their families, Specially Adapted Resource Centers (SPARC) celebrated the opening of its newest site at the Hybla Valley Community Center (7950 Audubon Avenue) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday (April 17).

Countywide

Fairfax could cut wellness program for people getting mental health services

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 13, 2026 at 3:45PM

BeWell provides one-on-one health coaching for individuals with mental illnesses and substance use challenges (courtesy HopeLink)

An Oakton-based nonprofit has been sounding an alarm about Fairfax County’s plans to eliminate funding for a key mental health program.

The fiscal year 2027 budget presented by County Executive Bryan Hill in February would terminate a $618,952 contract for BeWell, a program run by the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) and the nonprofit HopeLink Behavioral Health that coaches people living with serious mental illnesses on their overall health and wellness.

Around Town

Inclusive N. Va. theater troupe readies latest creations for opening night

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

Cast and crew of ArtStream Company B (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

For the past six months, ArtStream’s Virginia Company B has been developing and rehearsing a war of the worlds, featuring a clash of famous show-business and historical figures.

And tomorrow night (Friday), “The Great Put-Together!” makes its world premiere at James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, #114) in the West Falls Church area of Fairfax County.